Leeds Rhinos star set for ban after scrap with former Wigan Warriors man

Suspensions and injuries have again been the story of Leeds’ difficult season in 2022 and one man personifies that in the shape of Tom Holroyd.

Like last season, Holroyd began the campaign injured this time picking up an injury in a pre-season friendly against Featherstone in January. In the last few weeks he’s edged closer to the Rhinos’ 17 being named in the last two 21-man squads whilst getting minutes elsewhere.

Last week he played for the reserves as they defeated Castleford 40-34 and yesterday he lined up for Bradford Bulls on dual registration alongside fellow Rhinos prop Muizz Mustapha. However, things did not go to plan for Holroyd as he looks to get minutes under his belt and get back in the first team.

As Bradford ran out 36-20 winners over Newcastle, Holroyd was one of two men to be sent off for fighting. The incident involved him and former Wigan man Jake Shorrocks.

The incident came within 12 minutes of Holroyd’s introduction from the bench.

It’s a bitter blow for Holroyd to swallow as the Rhinos clearly think he needs minutes under his belt before throwing him back in the side but now those minutes will not be forthcoming as he faces a long term ban for the scrap.

It’s quite remarkable that Leeds could lament the loss of a key player due to suspension even though the player in question has yet to play a minute for the Rhinos this season.

There was some other curious news for one Leeds player at Bradford as Sam Walters was left out completely. Walters has played for the Bulls recently before picking up his first appearance of the season for the Rhinos last week at Salford. However, he was allowed to play for the Bulls yesterday but was not selected.